An Israeli television reporter visited the holy city of Mecca, his network reported Monday. despite rules forbidding entry to non-Muslims.
It came days after US President wrapped up a trip that included a direct flight from Israel to the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah.
Tamari recorded himself driving under the iconic gates of the city and past the Grand Mosque that houses the cube-shaped Kaaba, the holiest shrine in Islam.
“I am the first Israeli journalist to broadcast from here, even in Hebrew”, said Tamari.
According to Bloomberg, in his report, journalist Gil Tamari acknowledged that “Mecca is a holy city for Islam and non-Muslims aren’t allowed to enter”.
Yet, he went on to climb Mount Arafat, sparking controversy on social media and illustrating the sensitivities of closer ties between the kingdom and Israel.
He highlighted that it was his dream to visit Makkah, also Tamari said the person who agreed to take him didn’t know he was an Israeli journalist and The face of his driver was blurred.
Related:
Several Israeli journalists went to Saudi Arabia last week to cover the visit of US President Joe Biden.
Officially, Saudi Arabia rejected recognition of the Jewish state in 1948 and maintained that policy, however, it started to change in recent years.
In 2020, Israel signed US-sponsored agreements to normalize relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Saudi Arabia, which has secret ties with Israel, has yet to join the agreement.
